Want to help restore the natural balance in our ecosystems? Do you value the habitat and welfare of wildlife?
Join the team of volunteers who identify and record locations of “problem plants” in our parks.

Trail Stewards are essential in helping discourage and mitigate misuse of the trails and the surrounding lands of popular hiking destinations such as the stunning Gertrude's Nose in Minnewaska and Slide Mountain in the Catskills. Join the Trail Conference as a volunteer Trail Steward and inspire everyone who enjoys these trails to have a role to play in caring for them.

Looking for something to do off-trail that still makes a difference? Come work with the Invasives Strike Force as a data entry volunteer! Help us maintain our database and feel good about contributing to the protection of our native habitats.

Help educate the public about the Trail Conference and our trails through our maps and books! You can support both the Trail Conference and local businesses by placing our products in their stores. Be part of the team that makes this happen!

The Palisades Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve completing the multi-use Munsee-Eagle Trail in Sterling Forest State Park.

The Ramapo Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve rerouting and restoring on the Vista Loop Trail in Ramapo Valley County Reservation.

The Taconic Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve stone stair construction on the Undercliff Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park.

The Palisades Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve completing the multi-use Munsee-Eagle Trail in Sterling Forest State Park.

The Ramapo Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve rerouting and restoring on the Vista Loop Trail in Ramapo Valley County Reservation.

The Taconic Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve stone stair construction on the Undercliff Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park.

The Palisades Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve completing the multi-use Munsee-Eagle Trail in Sterling Forest State Park.

The Ramapo Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve rerouting and restoring on the Vista Loop Trail in Ramapo Valley County Reservation.

The Taconic Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve stone stair construction on the Undercliff Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park.

The Palisades Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve completing the multi-use Munsee-Eagle Trail in Sterling Forest State Park.

The Ramapo Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve rerouting and restoring on the Vista Loop Trail in Ramapo Valley County Reservation.

The Taconic Trail Crew constructs new trails and rehabilitates eroded and damaged trails. This year, a major part of our work will involve stone stair construction on the Undercliff Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park.

Would you like to take your invasive plant identification skills to the next level? Do you want to help find the next problem invaders that our crew should be targeting? Take this workshop to learn how!

Would you like to take your invasive plant identification skills to the next level? Do you want to help find the next problem invaders that our crew should be targeting? Take this workshop to learn how!

Would you like to take your invasive plant identification skills to the next level? Do you want to help find the next problem invaders that our crew should be targeting? Take this workshop to learn how!

Would you like to take your invasive plant identification skills to the next level? Do you want to help find the next problem invaders that our crew should be targeting? Take this workshop to learn how!

Our Volunteers Rock

Building, Maintaining, and Protecting Trails

The Trail Conference is supported by more than 1,700 volunteers who annually donate over 93,000 hours of time to keep trails open, safe, and enjoyable for the public.

We build trails and teach on-trails skill to our volunteers. Our classes range from Intro level in basic trail maintenance to advanced training in trail layout & design, rock work, and more. Workshops are usually held in the field on real trail projects.

FAQs

Yes! Adventure seekers who aren’t afraid to get dirty can share their love of trails by giving back either as an individual or a group. Our trail crews, Trail Love Days, and special trail projects are great for a group of friends or a corporate outing. Email [email protected] for details.

Minimum Volunteer Age

There is no minimum volunteer age to volunteer with the Trail Conference, however not all volunteer opportunities are appropriate for younger children. All volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a signed parental permission slip or a parent. We obey the two-adult rule: adult leaders must have prior background checks and that no child is ever with only one adult. Because of this rule, some work trips may not be able to accommodate youth volunteers.

Nope. If you don’t want to volunteer outside, the Trail Conference has many important and meaningful opportunities that can be done from our headquarters at the Darlington Schoolhouse or even from your own home.

Our trail crews and event leaders will provide you with everything you need for a great day on the trails—from gloves, hardhats, and eye protection, to shovels and pick mattocks. For those who want to adopt a trail to protect it for others to enjoy, you will be responsible for purchasing a few small hand tools to get the job done right.

Membership dues helps support our ability to keep trails and trail lands protected. Without support from trail users, we would not be able to do all of the great work that our trails need. While membership is not required for many of our volunteer opportunities, it is greatly appreciated. Please see Become a Member for details.

To ensure that you have an amazing volunteer experience, we offer both formal workshops that include classroom and field components, as well as “on the job training” opportunities. Our award-winning Trail University courses, taught by our awesome trail professionals and volunteers, will give you all the skills you need to help improve trails.

The Trail Conference encourages youth to participate on trail projects and we often work with Scout groups. It is the scout’s responsibility to identify and perform the preliminary planning for a project. To help offset some of the costs, the Elizabeth Levers Memorial Grant is available to support youth projects on trails maintained by the Trail Conference. The best way to start is to contact the Regional Program Coordinator for your area. See About Us for staff directory.